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What is CCTV? Getting the most from your current video tech setup

DTIQ on January 29, 2024

Having some type of security or surveillance set up has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity — which is why an understanding of CCTV is so important for business owners.

CCTV can seem like a buzzword, but it’s actually quite simple once you break it down — which is exactly what we’re going to do in this article.

This article will go over:

  • What CCTV is
  • How CCTV works
  • Types of CCTV cameras
  • Why business owners should care about CCTV
  • CCTV benefits

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What is CCTV?

CCTV stands for Closed-Circuit Television. It’s a surveillance system that uses cameras to capture and transmit video signals to a specific set of monitors or recording devices. Unlike traditional television broadcasting, the term “closed-circuit” implies that the video is transmitted through a private, secure system.

How does CCTV work?

A CCTV camera works like a digital eye. It has a lens that captures light, and an inner part called an image sensor turns this light into an electronic signal. The signal can be sent in two ways: through cables to a recorder (analog) or over networks to a computer system (digital).

Once the signal reaches the recorder or computer system, it gets processed and compressed to save space. The final video is stored on the recorder’s hard drive for later viewing. The same video can be watched in real-time on monitors connected to the system.

Modern cameras might have cool features like seeing in the dark (infrared), sensing movement, or even moving (pan, tilt, zoom). Overall, CCTV cameras are like digital eyes that capture and store what’s happening, helping with security and monitoring.

Types of CCTV cameras

There are numerous types of CCTV cameras you can see around. Some of the most popular CCTV cameras include:

  • Dome cameras: Named for their dome-like shape, these cameras are often used for more discreet looks — they are both harder to spot and harder to determine where they are focused on
  • Bullet cameras: Just like the dome cameras, the bullet cameras are named for their bullet-like shape. These cameras can be mounted on walls or ceilings and are pretty rough-and-tumble, able to function with dirt and dust
  • C-mount surveillance cameras: A C-mount camera is a type of surveillance camera that features a C-mount lens interface. The “C” in C-mount refers to the standardized thread type on the camera lens, allowing for the attachment of various lenses depending on the specific surveillance needs.

Why should business owners care about CCTV and video surveillance?

Video surveillance is becoming a cornerstone of a safe and profitable business for numerous reasons, which is why

Some of the arising surveillance and loss prevention risks that are arising, which can be addressed easier through video surveillance solutions, include:

1. Theft

A lot of external factors are contributing to the rise of theft, both internal and external, that businesses are facing. The cost of living rising faster than wages is a huge one — people may become more desperate as they struggle to compete with these rising costs.

Why does surveillance help? An intelligent video surveillance and loss prevention system allows you to keep an eye out for instances of theft with ease.

2. Shrinking profit margins

It’s not just the cost of living that makes people nervous. It’s the cost of everything, including fixed costs in running a business (energy, cost of labor, base food costs, rent, ad more).

Why does surveillance help? Set up audits through your video surveillance system to keep an eye on common areas of loss. If your energy bill is going up, your surveillance system can notify you if lights are left on or freezer doors are left open. If food costs are skyrocketing, review where food is being wasted.

3. Insurance claims/experience claims

The saying is the customer is always right, but what happens when the customer is trying to make a quick buck? This can be through something as small as finessing a free meal (through a complaint that wasn’t valid) or trying to sue through a slip-and-fall that may not have been as accidental as they let on. These incidents can be costly

Why does surveillance help? Surveillance gives you the evidence you need to review if these costly incidents are taking place. Without surveillance in place, incidents can quickly become a “he said/she said” situation where the cost to your reputation or dollars spent fighting the incident is more costly than the payout.

What are some of the advantages CCTV surveillance has for business owners? 5 major benefits to consider

As a business owner, everything you bring into your business needs to be beneficial — there’s too much going on to waste time on anything that isn’t bringing you a benefit or solid ROI.

Luckily, CCTV surveillance (or any video surveillance set up, truthfully) has some major benefits for business owners, making it something you need to investigate ASAP if you aren’t a current video surveillance user.

And if you are, some of the benefits may be unlocked only when you upgrade your system. Which you may also want to investigate ASAP.

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1. Improved security efforts

Back in the day, a physical camera was enough to stop a thief in their tracks — the mere thought of the camera capturing a grainy photo had people changing their petty theft plans.  However, that’s not the case anymore. Not only do you need cameras to physically deter theft, you need them working when the theft takes place.

Security is huge for businesses, and having the equipment to adequately secure your business is arguably the biggest part of security.

This is a huge reason to invest in CCTV or other video surveillance options. The physical cameras can act as a deterrent to potential intruders, and when (inevitably) something happens, you have the cameras

One of the primary reasons to invest in CCTV is to enhance the security of your business premises. Surveillance cameras act as a deterrent to potential intruders or vandals. The presence of visible cameras can discourage criminal activities and protect your assets.

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2. Proactive loss prevention

You know the example we talked about above around theft and shrinking profit margins? Having a loss prevention system in place is one of the largest ways to tackle theft and shrinking profit margins.

But you’re shooting in the dark without CCTV or another video surveillance system to catch the moments of loss.

CCTV and video surveillance technologies provide a vigilant set of electronic eyes that monitor and record activities within and around a business premises, acting as a powerful deterrent to potential thieves and vandals. The mere presence of visible cameras can significantly reduce the likelihood of criminal activities, as individuals are less inclined to engage in illicit behavior when they know they are being watched.

CCTV systems offer real-time monitoring capabilities, allowing business owners to keep a constant eye on their operations even when they are not physically present. This enables swift response to any suspicious activities or incidents, minimizing the potential for losses. In the event of a theft or vandalism, recorded footage serves as valuable evidence for law enforcement and insurance purposes, aiding in the identification and apprehension of perpetrators

3. Employee productivity

Believe it or not, a modern CCTV or video surveillance system can actually help to monitor employee productivity — talk about getting your bang for your buck on dollars put towards labor.

No manager can sit and watch their store 24/7. A CCTV or video surveillance system works two-fold when it comes to boosting employee productivity.

  • “Eye in the sky”: Your staff will not be always at 100%, but the idea that a camera can catch them will definitely get them closer to that 100% mark. Knowing they could potentially get caught is enough to keep some staff more on track
  • Measurable productivity: A smart CCTV or video surveillance system can measure your employee productivity through reporting.

Pro tip: An intelligent CCTV or video surveillance system, like DTiQ, can create audits that summarize what your cameras are seeing, including things around employee productivity. You can get an overview of some harder-to-measure areas of productivity, like phone use.

4. Actionable insights

CCTV systems can provide valuable insights into the daily operations of your business. You can observe customer behavior, track popular areas, and make informed decisions about store layout or product placements.

It’s also hard to improve things you aren’t measuring. Without intelligent video surveillance or a CCTV system in place, it’s impossible to keep your eyes on everything happening. You can measure things like time in line, wait times at drive-thru, foot traffic, wait times, and more with CCTV — and by measuring it, you can improve it.

5. Evidence

Unfortunately, things will go wrong at your business at some point. Whether it’s a bad customer experience, internal theft, or somebody using a saw to cut down a wall and get into your business for cash (it happens!), you need video evidence to deal with these situations.

In case of incidents such as accidents, disputes, or security breaches, CCTV footage serves as valuable evidence. This evidence can be crucial for investigations, insurance claims, and legal matters.

CCTV and video surveillance: keeping your business safe

In summary, investing in CCTV for your business offers a comprehensive and effective way to enhance security, reduce losses, monitor operations, and provide evidence in case of incidents. It’s a valuable tool for safeguarding your business assets and ensuring a safe and secure environment for both employees and customers.

Want help figuring out the right video surveillance and loss prevention solution for your business? Get in touch or book a demo with DTiQ and see how we power 190,000+ cameras nationwide.

DVR vs. NVR — what’s the difference (and what do I need)?

DTIQ on January 26, 2024

Shopping for a video surveillance system can seem daunting, especially when so many options out there sound technical — some people find themselves questioning a DVR (digital video recorder) vs. NVR (network video recorder) video setup and immediately want to shut down.

Luckily, a DVR vs. NVR set up isn’t as technical as it sounds.

In this article, we’ll break it all down for you, including:

  • What a DVR and NVR are
  • The key differences between these two video set ups
  • How to evaluate which of these set ups, if either of them, is right for surveillance for your business

Let’s dive in.

TL;DR? Check out this summary on DVR vs. NVR

What is a DVR?

A DVR, or digital video recorder, is an electronic device that records, stores, and plays back video footage. It is commonly employed in surveillance and security systems to capture and retain camera video data. DVRs can be analog or digital and are designed to work with different types of cameras, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

The DVR encodes video signals into a digital format for storage, manages the storage of recorded video, and provides the ability to retrieve and view footage later. DVRs are equipped with various features such as motion detection, scheduled recording, and remote access, allowing users to monitor and manage their video recordings efficiently.

What are the pros and cons of a DVR system?

Like anything in life, there are both pros and cons to a DVR system.

Pros:

  • Cost-Effective: A DVR system is a more cost-effective option than NVR systems
  • Compatible with older technology: If you want security without investing in new cameras, a DVR system may be the way to go. DVRs are designed to work seamlessly with analog cameras, which you may have if there are existing cameras in place.
  • Ease of use: DVR systems are typically straightforward to set up and manage, making them suitable for users who prioritize simplicity in their surveillance solutions.
  • Stability: Since a DVR runs on your local network, there is more stability and less of a risk of downtime

Cons:

  • Less scalability/flexibility: It is hard to scale a DVR video system rapidly due to the systems needing more intricate wiring
  • Lower video resolution: You won’t get the video quality you’re looking for if you want an HD option. DVRs typically have lower resolution than an IP camera.
  • Fewer advanced features: DVRs are older school technology, meaning there are less options for analytic integrations or integrations with other modern technologies

What is an NVR?

Just like a DVR, a network video recorder (NVR) is a specialized device employed in video surveillance systems to capture, store, and manage digital video footage from IP cameras.

However, unlike traditional DVRs designed for analog cameras, NVRs are tailored for the digital era. They work seamlessly with IP cameras that transmit video data over a network. The core functionality of an NVR revolves around its ability to receive, process, and store high-quality digital video streams, enabling users to monitor and review surveillance footage with ease.

What are the pros and cons of an NVR system?

Just like a DVR, an NVR isn’t the perfect solution in every situation. Here are the pros and cons of an NVR system.

Pros:

  • High-Resolution Support––NVR systems are optimized for IP cameras, which often provide higher resolution images compared to analog cameras, leading to improved video quality.
  • Flexible Connectivity––NVRs connect to cameras through Ethernet cables or wireless networks, offering more flexibility in camera placement and reducing the need for extensive cabling.
  • Scalability––NVR systems are highly scalable, allowing users to easily add or remove IP cameras as needed without major infrastructure changes, making them suitable for growing installations.
  • Advanced Features––NVRs typically support advanced features such as remote viewing over the internet, intelligent video analytics, and integration with other network devices for enhanced functionality.
  • Centralized Management–– NVRs provide centralized management of video data, making it easier to control and monitor the entire surveillance system from a single interface.

Cons:

  • Cost––NVR systems can be more expensive than DVR systems, particularly when considering the higher cost of IP cameras and the additional networking equipment required.
  • Dependency on Network Stability––The performance of NVR systems is heavily reliant on network stability. Any issues with the network can impact video streaming and system responsiveness.
  • Potential Bandwidth Issues––High-resolution video streams from multiple IP cameras can consume significant bandwidth, potentially causing congestion and affecting other network activities.
  • Complex Setup––Setting up an NVR system may be more complex than a DVR system, especially for users who are not familiar with networking concepts.
  • Compatibility Concerns––While NVRs are designed for IP cameras; compatibility issues may arise when integrating with cameras from different manufacturers or with varying specifications.

What is the difference between a DVR and an NVR?

The biggest difference between a DVR system and an NVR system is how they communicate and transmit video data — essentially, how the video system talks with the rest of the system.

But there are some larger differences that are important to review as well.

DVRs are typically a part of an analog surveillance system, which is the more “traditional” surveillance system people think of. DVRs receive the video from their analog cameras, which then is stored. DVRs can handle both. It’s important to note that a DVR-based surveillance system has some restraints due to its more traditional set up — larger installations will be less flexible since it involves additional wiring and larger scale changes.

On the other hand, NVRs are designed to work seamlessly with IP cameras, which transmit digital video signals over a network. NVRs are connected to cameras through Ethernet cables or wireless connections. Also, unlike DVRs, NVRs rely on cameras for video processing, focusing on the storage and retrieval of digital content.

Because NVRs leverage IP cameras, installation and scaling can be more flexible for many — you aren’t having to add wiring. With NVRs, you can also benefit from other features that go beyond surveillance, like remote viewing, intelligent video analytics, or other integrations over your network.

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DVR vs NVR. Doing what’s right for your business

So, what’s the best surveillance system for your business? A DVR or an NVR surveillance system?

Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as picking A or B. As outlined, both options have pros and cons — upfront cost, scalability, and more. It boils down to what makes the most sense for your exact business needs.

But you don’t need to make that decision alone. Reach out to DTiQ today to discuss your business video surveillance needs. Our team of experts will help make the decision easier, with 45,000+ locations succeeding using DTiQ today.

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Optimizing workflows: practical tips for smoother operations and increased profit

DTIQ on January 17, 2024

Optimizing workflows at your quick service restaurant, retail store, or C-store sounds loaded — and can be. Finding the individual keys to an optimized workflow at your business is the key to customers coming back over and over again and a better bottom line — it’s a win win!

So, what do you need to do to ensure you’re optimizing workflows with ease? Let’s break down why this is important and what this looks like for restaurants, retailers, and C-stores.

Why is optimizing workflows at quick service restaurants, retail stores, and convenience stores so important?

Optimizing workflows in quick service restaurants, retail stores, and convenience stores is important for several reasons:

1. Customer Satisfaction:

‍The number one driving force of investing in optimizing workflows is keeping your customers with a positive feeling about your business, with every interaction they have with you. As the saying goes, “happy customers, happy life!” Faster service and shorter wait times lead to happier customers, which can result in increased loyalty and repeat business. Anything you can do to ensure the best possible customer experience will come back to you!

2. Efficiency:

‍Streamlined workflows ensure that tasks are completed faster and with fewer errors, leading to quicker service and improved customer satisfaction. Having a more efficient workflow helps minimize the chance of time theft based on team members not knowing where to spend their labor hours or having too much free time on their hands.
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3. Cost Reductions:

Efficient workflows can help reduce labor and operational costs by maximizing employee productivity and minimizing waste. No more wasting money on overstaffing for the post-breakfast lunch that doesn’t exist, or not bringing in enough people to restock shelves during the holidays.

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4. Consistency:

Standardized processes ensure that customers receive consistent and high-quality service, which is crucial for building a strong brand reputation. If workflows change during every weekend rush, for example, your customers may not receive the same guest experience when they come for their Saturday morning latte. You want to ensure the experience is both positive and predictable.

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5. Inventory Management:

An optimized workflow is instrumental in efficient inventory management. Streamlining processes such as order tracking, restocking, and data analysis reduces the risk of overstocking or understocking, thereby minimizing carrying costs and lost sales opportunities. Furthermore, it improves accuracy, enhances visibility into stock levels, and enables timely decision-making, all of which are crucial for maintaining healthy inventory levels and meeting customer demands.
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6. Employee Productivity:

‍Eliminate inefficiencies and redundancies, allowing employees to focus on tasks that truly matter, increasing their output, with clearly optimized workflows. Clear processes and defined responsibilities also reduce confusion and downtime, ultimately fostering a more productive and motivated workforce.

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7. Adaptability:

Optimized workflows are a business’s agility engine, enabling quick adaptation to changing customer needs. By simplifying decision-making, automating processes, and enhancing resource allocation, they facilitate rapid responses to market shifts. This flexibility allows businesses to pivot and align their products, services, and strategies with evolving customer demands, ultimately ensuring customer satisfaction and sustained competitiveness.

These are just some of the reasons that optimizing workflows at your business is so critical.

Optimizing workflows — what does that look like?

So, what does it look like when you’re optimizing workflows at your business? Let’s look at restaurants, retail stores, and C-stores through the customer’s eyes, and where optimized workflows are going to make the biggest difference with the customer experience.

The key to optimized workflows — seeing what happens

Before diving into what optimizing workflows looks like at restaurants, retail stores, and C-stores, let’s look at how you can capture what’s currently happening — video surveillance.

Having a video surveillance system is a crucial part of assessing and improving workflows within a business. Capturing visual records of various activities allows for the evaluation of processes, revealing inefficiencies, bottlenecks, or deviations from established procedures.

A video surveillance system also helps to ensure safety and compliance by monitoring adherence to safety protocols and regulatory standards. Surveillance cameras can act as a deterrent to security issues, such as theft or vandalism, which may disrupt workflows. In customer-facing areas, video surveillance provides insights into customer interactions, enabling adjustments to workflows for an improved customer experience.

The recorded footage also serves as a valuable training tool when it comes to showing your staff where workflows need to improve. Ultimately, video surveillance offers a true birds-eye-view of how your current workflows are working, meaning you can make data-driven decisions to optimize processes and enhance overall efficiency.

Now let’s dive into what workflows you need to keep an eye on in different industries

Quick service restaurant

Diner enters the queue to order: The queue can make or break your diners’ experience before it even starts. After all, a long wait in store or at the drive-thru has people throwing their cars into reverse and heading to the next quick service restaurant down the street. An optimized workflow is the key to moving the queue quickly, keeping the quick in quick service restaurant.

Diner places order: Efficient order-taking processes, clear menu displays, and speedy order fulfillment reduce waiting times and enhance customer satisfaction. Additionally, well-coordinated workflows help maintain food quality and consistency, ensuring that patrons receive their orders accurately and promptly, resulting in a positive dining experience.

Diner receives food: Streamlined processes, precise communication between kitchen staff and front-of-house, and automated order tracking systems minimize the risk of errors and ensure customers receive exactly what they order. This not only boosts customer confidence but also leads to increased customer satisfaction, as diners can rely on getting the food they want every time they visit.

Day-to-day operations: An area of focus to ensure that you have special eyes on optimizing workflows? Food waste. A poorly optimized workflow in a restaurant or food-related business can significantly contribute to food waste. Inefficient processes, such as inaccurate inventory tracking, slow kitchen preparation, or improper storage, can lead to overordering, spoilage, and excessive portions that often end up as discarded food. A well-designed workflow minimizes these issues, ensuring that food is used efficiently and reducing unnecessary waste, ultimately benefiting both the business’s bottom line and the environment.

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Retail store

Customer enters store: The experience starts for your shoppers right when they enter the store. Is the storefront clean? Is there somebody at the front to greet them? Having workflows that ensure staff are able to clean and manage the front of the store is key to starting off on the right foot.

Customers shopping: Proper workflows can make or break the experience your customers are shopping around. Workflows around customer engagement, restocking the floor so it looks full, and proper communication are key to keeping your staff happy.

Customer cashing out: A bad experience cashing out is not the note you want your shoppers to end on, so reviewing the cash experience is a huge area for proper workflows. Review your busy hours and ensure that you are staffed effectively, to prevent customers from having to search for somebody to cash them out or be stuck waiting in a long line where they can change their mind.

Day-to-day operations: Just like in quick service restaurants, there are so many areas where a well-optimized workflow is important outside of the direct customer experience. With retail stores, having an optimized workflow is critical when it comes to managing loss and retail shrink. A clear and optimial workflow around moving merchandise can be a gamechanger when it comes to minimizing shrink.

Pro tip: You still want to keep your eyes on areas that have a lot of merchandise moving around. Make sure that any security camera placement includes a watchful eye in those areas. This way, you have the footage you need in case you need to review when something happens.

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C-Store

Customer shopping: With a C-store, you have customers entering your store to shop at 2:00AM, 2:00PM, and everything in between. An optimized workflow around staffing, security, and more is key the second somebody steps foot in your C-store. They should be able to get help no matter what time they’re shopping. Make sure your staffing is optimized from the first second. (This includes breaks, especially during later hours. Avoid having one person in-store. If they’re on break, your shoppers are going to be stuck).

Security: Given the hours of operation, having workflows in place that keep your staff and shoppers safe is critical. Implementing security measures, such as surveillance systems, can help deter theft and improve overall customer safety. You can also look at workflows around keeping more high-ticket and higher-risk items secure, like tobacco products, vapes or Juuls, lottery tickets, and more. Maybe this involves locking back doors at certain hours, keeping certain products in the back room, or more. These workflows will keep you and your staff safe.

Continue optimizing workflows

The importance of optimizing workflows for better operations cannot be overstated. Efficient, streamlined processes not only save time and resources but also empower businesses to respond swiftly to market dynamics and customer demands.

By fostering productivity, reducing errors, and enhancing adaptability, optimized workflows serve as the cornerstone of operational excellence, enabling organizations to thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape and deliver the best possible products and services to their customers. Embracing and continuously refining these workflows is the path to sustained success in today’s dynamic business world.

Preventing shrink: strategies for minimizing loss

DTIQ on January 10, 2024

In 2022, retail businesses lost a whopping $112.1 billion due to shrinkage. That’s an average shrink rate of 1.6% of annual revenue, according to a study conducted by the 2023 National Retail Security Survey, an increase from 1.4% in FY 2021.

Retail shrink is the reduction in a business’s earnings or inventory, typically caused by factors such as wastage, theft, or discrepancies between recorded and actual stock levels.

Preventing shrink is critical to securing your business’s profitability, and loss prevention is the top strategy to help implement protection, insights and change at your establishment.

Key takeaways you will learn from this article:

  • An understanding of the depths, trends, and pains of shrink
  • Preventing shrink in retail with effective loss prevention strategies
  • How to reduce shrink and optimize your loss prevention ROI by leveraging your current technology

Understanding shrink in retail

Several types of shrinkage occur in a variety of industries, but retail shrink is high for average annual profit loss.

The definition of retail shrinkage is the loss of inventory from a variety of factors, including employee theft, shoplifting, administrative or cashier error, damage, vendor fraud, and more impacting a company’s profitability, reputation, and overall business operations.

But what contributes to this? Let’s unpack the top individual factors contributing to retail shrink:

Employee theft

Employee theft refers to the unauthorized taking of an employer’s property, assets, or funds by a company’s own employees, typically for personal gain, and in violation of trust and legal obligations.

Return fraud

Return fraud is an unethical hijack involving the return of merchandise to a retailer to obtain a refund or exchange under false or fraudulent pretenses, often resulting in financial losses for the retailer.

Shoplifting

Shoplifting is the act of stealing merchandise from a retail store without paying for it, typically with the intention of avoiding purchase and causing financial losses to the store. Shoplifting can also act as online theft where thieves use cyber hacking to outsmart software.

Operational loss

Operational loss refers to financial setbacks or costs impacted by a business due to various factors such as inefficiencies, errors, accidents, or other non-fraudulent events that disrupt the regular operation of the business. This can include:

  • Administrative errors
  • Clerical errors
  • Goods getting damaged
  • Miscounting of the goods
  • Lost goods
  • Incorrect units of measure

Vendor fraud

Conducted by suppliers, vendors, or third-party entities who provide goods or services to a company, vendor fraud is the intent to deceive or exploit the company for personal gain.

Seasonal shrink and the holiday seasons

The most wonderful time of the year isn’t always so wonderful for business owners, inventory managers, and other stakeholders accountable for revenue-impacting goals, metrics, and reports.

It’s no doubt Black Friday is the leading day for increased retail shrink. NRF found that a record 196.7 million consumers shopped over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend last year, and a Newsweek study found that 67% of these consumers shopped at physical retailers.

Source: NRF’s 2022 Thanksgiving Weekend Consumer Survey, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics

This year, Loss Prevention Magazine predicts that 80.4% of sales will occur in physical stores. Despite the emergence of new online purchasing methods like e-commerce, mail-orders, and services such as buy online, and pick-up in-store (BOPIS) ––in response to the pandemic, shrinkage rates are on the rise due to new issues and areas of loss arising from these innovations.

Next-generation loss prevention for retail – how to reduce shrink

You may be asking yourself how to reduce shrink at your establishment. The solution is a simple yet intelligent approach to solving the loss issue.

Technology to aid in preventing shrink for businesses is here, letting you take a modern and proactive approach to preventing shrink at your retail stores. Retail loss prevention software enables store owners to remotely monitor their business through their smartphones or computers. Not only do these intelligent video systems deter theft, but they also provide insights into employee and customer behavior, helping improve staff performance and enhance the customer experience.

But it gets even more innovative than that: more advanced providers — like DTiQ — can customize loss prevention insights with advanced analytics, artificial intelligence technology, and mobile app remote monitoring that work to help meet your business’s loss prevention goals.

Let’s look at the ways that a smart video surveillance and loss prevention provider can help in preventing shrink.

Intelligent video

DTiQ’s intelligent video solutions combines real-time data with advanced analytics for heightened customer engagement and operational optimization. Insights like customer tracking, traffic analysis, speed of service enhancement, and more, can be monitored and addressed with action-oriented feedback in staffing, merchandising, coaching, inventory management, and service improvement.

Features like regular monitoring, remote incident archiving, and cloud-hosted business intelligence take your surveillance game to another level. Motion detection, off-site data storage, and mobile app access for on-the-go decision-making make DTiQ’s competitive edge unmatched.

Book a demo to harness the power of intelligent video for your business.

SmartAudit™

What is a SmartAudit™?  A way to improve business performance; a tool that combines the expertise of our certified professional auditors with state-of-the-art video algorithms to deliver invaluable insight, ensuring that your locations maintain compliance and safety standards. Detailed POS transaction data allows you to identify key trends, incidents, compliance hiccups, shoplifter activity, safety hazards, instances of fraud, delivery orders, discount transactions, and much more.

DTiQ’s SmartAudit™ key stats:

  • Over 28,000 audits per month for businesses around the nation
  • Over 100 certified professional auditors
  • 24/7/365 dedicated customer service representatives to help ensure success

Advanced analytics

DTiQ’s preventative retail shrink solutions are backed by advanced analytics, reporting, and seamless data integration. With our exception reports, you can effortlessly identify and review suspicious transactions, receiving alerts that keep you in the loop when incidents occur by observing video and audio surveillance for easy verification.  By integrating with your point of sale, you can review detailed timestamp data and video footage, ensuring you can match POS line items with cashier activity.

DTiQ’s 360iQ business intelligence platform is one of the most robust products on the market, combining video, live sales, alerts, and reports to paint a comprehensive picture of your entire business. You’ll receive detailed data and insights into your operation, receive event triggers, alerts and notifications, and real-time in-store analytics that identify potential instances of discount fraud, unauthorized voids, and other forms of financial loss.

With DTiQ’s managed services, you can trust our professional expertise to support your loss prevention efforts, providing you with more time and freedom to focus on running your business effectively.

Retail loss prevention

DTiQ’s retail-specific loss prevention offering help businesses reduce shrink in retail year-round: inventory management, improve employee performance, and ultimately enhance the customer experience. With advanced surveillance tools and in-depth analytics, DTiQ’s retail loss prevention solution offers features like:

  • Mystery shopping
  • Employee engagement tools
  • Exception-based reporting
  • Industry benchmarking and reporting
  • Investigative support
  • Merchandise tracking processes
  • Remote and in-person audits
  • Staff monitoring and training

Bonuses:

  • Camera agnostic integrations: no new cameras needed! We’ll work with your current equipment.
  • Mobile app designed for feasible monitoring and management. Easily access data wherever you are.
  • 24/7/365 customer support.
  • Complete functions, customizable features, and supporting resources available.

Tips for preventing shrink in retail year-round

  • Inventory control: utilize DTiQ’s cutting-edge tools for effective inventory control, ensuring the best resources are at your fingertips.
  • Regular audits and reviews: strengthen your defense against losses by implementing regular audits and reviews.
  • Regulatory compliance solutions: stay up to date on your establishment’s regulatory requirements.
  • Ongoing employee training: invest in continuous employee training to create a vigilant and informed team, enhancing overall security measures.

Brands preventing shrink in retail with DTiQ

DTiQ takes pride in its partnerships with brands committed to proactive loss prevention, embracing the “smarter store” concept to enhance their operations.

rue21

Rue21 reduced its shrink percentage by 28% in the first two years, lower than any of the five years prior to the partnership. Additionally, DTiQ supported rue21 with:

  • 3,632 conducted audits, marking a 100% increase from the previous LP team at rue21 who did not conduct audits.
  • 648 conducted investigations, marking a 28% increase despite the partnership starting in 2020.
  • 324 reported exceptions, resulting in at least 100 more EBR exceptions year-over-year.

Read more about how rue21 reduced their annual shrinkage rate with DTiQ.

DXL Big & Tall

DXL realized a $4.6 million earnings improvement with the help of DTiQ.

“Our lowered shrink and resulting earnings improvement are a testament to the success of the program. DTiQ seamlessly integrated into our operations and helped us build and maintain a proactive loss prevention program.”

  • Of the 68 stores enrolled in the target store program, shrink was reduced by 50%, resulting in an earnings improvement of approximately $600,000.

Learn about partnership between DTiQ and DXL that resulted in millions of savings.

Eyes on the back of your head

Shrink in other industries

Preventing shrink is a reoccurring theme that various industries face as a common challenge, and how to reduce shrink is a question that often comes into conversation for all business owners.

  • In quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and traditional restaurants, inventory discrepancies and internal issues contribute to shrink.
  • Convenience stores face similar challenges, with added complexities arising from high customer traffic and diverse product offerings. However, employing cross-industry strategies becomes a key solution.

Work with experts in retail loss prevention for preventing shrink

Equipping your business with intelligent loss prevention solutions is the number one way to get lost profit back from areas you may not always have eyes on.

DTiQ is a determined force to help strengthen your loss prevention initiatives by automating monitoring processes, improving situational awareness, identifying anomalies, and offering valuable data-driven insights. These technologies empower businesses and organizations to mitigate security risks, minimize losses, and enhance overall safety and security.

See how DTiQ’s loss prevention solutions can help. You can contact us or book a demo to see our technology in action.

How to use data to improve customer service

DTIQ on December 18, 2023

Retail stores, restaurants, convenience shops, and similar businesses are facing increasing competition, prompting many to explore techniques to stand out in a crowded landscape. Providing better customer service can be the solution. According to a report from HubSpot, 89% of consumers claim they’re more likely to choose the same brand again after a positive customer experience.

Your company may be aware that customer service is lacking, but not know how to strengthen this vital area. The first step toward a better customer experience is to understand what your customers need and want, which makes data that you can gather from your business a goldmine of information.

Let’s review how your business can use data to improve customer service.

Understanding the Power of Data in Customer Service

Customer service involves more than helping a customer with a return or solving an issue — it’s about creating a positive experience for your customers every time, even when they come to you with something going wrong. A positive customer service experience contributes to the overall customer experience a person has at each touchpoint along their journey interacting with your brand, from initial awareness of your products and services to support after the sale.

Traditionally, businesses have taken a reactive approach to customer service, meaning representatives would respond to customers’ questions and concerns to resolve problems. An increase in the amount of big data and technologies that allow businesses to more effectively gather this data has enabled proactive customer service where support is available at each stage of the customer journey.

Incorporating data into decision-making has positive implications for business growth in general. Pragmatic Institute states advanced data and analytics maturity have translated into a boost in revenue for 54% of businesses and given 44% a competitive edge.

Similarly, when companies invest in data analytics for customer service, the result is often greater customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. It helps them develop more precise and personalized marketing and support to meet their customers’ needs. As some research states, 58% of businesses experience a substantial increase in customer retention by leveraging customer service data and analytics.

Types of Data to Enhance Customer Service

Many companies have relied on customer relationship management (CRM) systems to gather information about customers, such as buying patterns and related interactions. These systems prove valuable for uncovering customer data, but they often lack insight into customers’ feelings about service. The following are several types of data your organization can utilize to improve customer service:

Demographics

Knowing the average ages, income ranges and other demographic aspects of your customer base can help you create more personalized messaging.

Purchase History

What products and services have specific customers bought most? Businesses show they care about their customers when they know what offerings they’re most interested in purchasing.

Customer Behavior

This data helps you better understand how customers interact with your brand. For example, if more customers prefer interacting on social media sites, offering customer support via these channels can boost their experience.

Customer Feedback

Customer feedback is valuable for understanding customer sentiment about ease of navigation on your e-commerce  site, the convenience of support services, and more. Many customers share insights on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Collecting and Analyzing Customer Data

Gathering the right data is necessary to improve customer service, but it’s important to remember that most businesses must comply with industry regulations regarding data privacy, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Therefore, businesses need methods for gleaning valuable data from customers while respecting privacy and remaining compliant.

The following are several ways you can collect customer data ethically and effectively:

Customer Surveys

Asking customers for their insights directly helps you stay transparent while gaining the data you need. Feedback from surveys can help you enhance support services, marketing strategies, and sales initiatives.

Social Media

In addition to providing businesses with many opportunities to engage with customers, many social media sites offer built-in metrics for data analytics. You can combine these insights with other data for a deeper understanding of customer sentiment.

Transactional Data

This is data collected at the point of sale, such as products and services purchased and the dates and times of purchase. Compliance will prevent you from collecting personal data about customers, but information from transactions alone can help enhance customer service.

Newsletters and Blogs

Typically used in marketing campaigns, blogs, and newsletters can be hotbeds of customer data. In this content, you educate customers or provide them with discounts and other incentives in exchange for feedback or other information.

Customer Complaint Program

If your main focus is customer feedback, a customer complaint program can be beneficial. This program is more specific to your business than a standard survey, making for a personalized experience for customers. You receive feedback in real-time  at the store level — as opposed to the top of the chain — empowering more informed decision-making and showing customers you value their perspectives.

Personalization and Customer Service

A significant benefit of data-driven customer service is personalization. The insights you gather enable you to customize customer interactions, whether it’s using purchase history to suggest products or services that might interest them or looking at demographics to determine which messaging most resonates with the target audience.

Consider these examples of well-known businesses that have utilized data to provide personalized customer service:

Amazon

This e-commerce  giant leverages data to recommend products to customers that they may not even have realized existed. Amazon collects data based on purchase and browsing history and compares it with similar customer profiles to deliver a highly personalized set of recommended items. This system enables customers to find the products they want quickly while also exposing them to offerings they might not have seen otherwise. This strategy increases customer satisfaction by responding to specific needs and boosts Amazon’s bottom line.

Netflix

Even as more and more companies release streaming platforms, Netflix remains on top. Why? Part of this dominance can be ascribed to its use of data. Netflix considers various aspects to create a more personalized experience for users, including the dates and times they watch shows, which devices they use, how long it takes them to complete a series, and even how often they pause during a program. These metrics are used to augment algorithms, creating a customer experience where it seems Netflix can read their subscriber’s minds.

Starbucks

As a leader in drive-thru service, Starbucks understands the importance of personalized customer experience and drive-thru speed of service. The company utilizes several methods to gather data from customers, such as Deep Brew, a recommendation system using artificial intelligence. It uses data to tailor menus based on customer preferences and even switches menu items depending on the weather, season, or time of day.

Anticipating Customer Needs with Data

As mentioned, the goal of improving customer service through data is to be proactive. This is where predictive data analysis comes in. Data-driven predictive analytics involves combining historical data with analytic tools like machine learning to make predictions about future customer needs and behaviors. The following are some ways that predictive analytics can help deliver a great customer experience:

  • Simplifying checkout processes to provide customers with a seamless e-commerce  experience
  • Creating more personalized marketing campaigns where customers receive the right message at the right time and on the platforms they most use to interact with a brand
  • Forecasting customers’ needs to deliver relevant messaging to customers before they realize they have that need
  • Enabling businesses to manage and allocate resources more effectively
  • Empowering customer support teams to swiftly and accurately resolve issues
  • Reducing churn by helping companies identify customers at high risk for churn to better meet their needs

Data-Driven Service Recovery

No business is perfect; it’s common to drop the ball with customer service from time to time. However, these incidents are opportunities to use data to improve the customer experience. These data-driven steps can help significantly improve service recovery and boost customer service:

  • Gather complaint data from surveys, social media posts, emails, calls, and other sources. It’s helpful to have a system for storing and organizing this data.
  • Analyze the data to detect trends or patterns in complaints. This step helps reveal possible service gaps. Different methods exist for evaluating complaints, such as SWOT analysis or root cause analysis.
  • Develop and communicate steps to improvement with a plan that details the objectives, timelines, key performance indicators, and similar aspects. This plan should be shared with customers, employees, and other stakeholders.
  • Establish methods and tools for evaluating progress, such as feedback surveys and customer satisfaction scores. This step allows for timely adjustments to improvement plans.

Invest in Customer Service Analytics from DTiQ

If your company wants to improve customer service, start by looking at customer data. The insights you glean will allow you to better meet the needs and preferences of different customers, respond to their questions and concerns, and predict their future needs. What’s more, focusing on data-driven customer service can mean increased customer loyalty and revenue for your business.

Restaurants, retail stores, and convenience stores that need guidance using data to enhance customer service should turn to DTIQ. Our business intelligence solutions deliver the insights you need to better respond to pain points and deliver an unforgettable customer experience. We also offer smart video solutions that can help augment customer service. Contact us to learn more about our solutions to customer service analytics or book a demo today.

The benefits of cloud-based video surveillance for your business

DTIQ on December 13, 2023

According to Statista, the size of the video surveillance market size is valued to be $63B, and the information security products and services market is valued at a staggering $172B as of 2022. While businesses have relied on security cameras for decades, a new class of intelligent video solutions has emerged: cloud-based video surveillance systems.

These cloud-based camera systems can transform the way you capture video footage and thus give you greater peace of mind. When combined with physical security measures and other modern security solutions, cloud-based video surveillance represents a true game-changer for small businesses. With that in mind, let’s explore the benefits and functionality of cloud-based video management systems (VMSs).

Unleashing the Power of Cloud-Based Video Surveillance

In the past, businesses relied heavily on traditional surveillance systems, like closed-circuit television (CCTV) setups. These analog solutions required on-premise hard drives, DVRs, or other local storage equipment, which all represented major upfront costs. While CCTV offered a reliable means of capturing store footage, it proved unable to provide real-time alerts or new features such as video analytics.

Cloud-based camera systems, on the other hand, streamline video storage, access control, motion detection, and other store security processes. The best cameras include night vision recognition (NVR), automatic notifications, and license plate recognition, alongside much more.

As with traditional camera solutions, though, the efficacy of cloud-based video surveillance systems hinges on security camera placement. The goal is to create eagle-eyed networks around your business that can capture camera footage of any critical incident, such as robberies or parking lot accidents.

Enhanced Security and Data Protection

Now that you know more about the capabilities of cloud-managed security cameras, let’s get into the benefits they offer.

The most obvious benefit of cloud-based video surveillance is that it improves security and data protection through the following means:

Remote Monitoring and Alerts

The latest loss prevention software includes artificial intelligence technology, which automatically monitors your business and pushes out alerts via a mobile app if it observes anything out of the ordinary, ensuring you are notified right away anytime something is amiss at your store. Whether you are across the street or across the globe, you can keep an eye on your business.

Additionally, many cloud systems offer real-time streaming capabilities, allowing you to view live footage of whatever is going on inside and outside your business. Cloud technology also makes it easy to bookmark, save, and share the footage: For instance, you could tag and share footage of a robbery with your insurance company or law enforcement officers.

Secure Data Storage

With CCTV setups in the past, video footage was stored on an on-premise DVR or hard drive, which could be damaged or stolen. Thankfully, today’s cloud storage solutions provide far better protection against physical threats.

Cloud-based video surveillance technology also improves your company’s cybersecurity stance. Your cloud service provider will manage a cloud server and is responsible for creating a secure, reliable location for you to store your video footage. All you need is a stable internet connection and Wi-Fi capabilities.

Cloud VMS tech also offers disaster recovery options, ensuring your data remains safe, no matter what threats come its way.

Flexibility and Scalability

As a growth-minded business owner, you are, naturally, always looking for ways to expand, evolve, and sharpen your competitive edge. Old-school video security tools, though, are not exactly known for their scalability or flexibility, so you need a video surveillance system that can keep up.

If you are running an on-premise setup, you’ll have to invest in new hardware and security cameras every time you expand your business and open a new location. With a cloud-based video surveillance solution, you can manage security across every location from a single app.

Other ways that cloud-based video surveillance promotes flexibility and scalability are as follows:

Scalability and Future-Proofing

Cloud-based video surveillance systems offer exceptional scalability, as both the server and back-end hardware are managed by your video surveillance as a service (VSaaS) provider. The provider handles all the complex technical aspects of managing your tech, like publishing firmware updates, ensuring you have enough bandwidth, and developing new features for the platform.

Moreover, cloud technology ensures that your surveillance investment is future-proofed. With continuous updates and improvements, cloud-based systems are equipped with the latest security tech.

Customization and Integration

Your business is unique, and so are its security requirements. Cloud-based video surveillance options recognize that sort of individuality and thus allow you to customize the platform to suit your needs. Whether you want specific recording schedules, unique alert triggers, or specialized camera setups, the cloud can accommodate you.

Integration has also never been easier with the cloud, as solutions can effortlessly integrate with your existing security measures, like alarm systems and panic buttons. Top options can even integrate with other business systems, like your fire alarm and cooling system.

Cost Efficiency and Accessibility

One of the biggest barriers to video surveillance adoption is cost. Even if you purchase budget equipment from Amazon, implementing a system with on-premise storage hardware can cost you thousands.

Fortunately, cloud-based video surveillance provides several cost savings benefits in the following ways:

Reduced Hardware Costs

The cost savings benefits of cloud-based video surveillance storage technology are profound. With cloud-based video surveillance, you can offload much of the data storage and maintenance responsibilities to your VSaaS provider.

In addition to reducing storage and maintenance costs, you may also be able to lease your equipment or pay for it in installments, further lowering your expenses. By taking advantage of cloud-based video surveillance storage, you can free up additional funding for your loss prevention programs and allocate these resources to things like employee training and better lighting.

Remote Access From Anywhere

Cloud-based security camera systems are also incredibly accessible. Whether you are at home, commuting, or even on vacation, you can easily check in on your business.

With data stored securely online, you can access both live and stored video footage from your mobile app — all you need is an internet connection. You can finally enjoy peace of mind without taking on costs like sending an employee to check on your store at odd hours or hiring a security guard.

Compliance and Data Management

In today’s highly regulated environment, your business will undoubtedly face pressure to ensure that its security systems adhere to strict compliance standards.

Once you implement a video surveillance system, you become a data collector, which means you are responsible for protecting the sensitive data of your consumers, including their credit card numbers and license plates.

When you store security footage on-site, you bear that compliance burden alone, but if you make the leap to cloud-based video surveillance technology, your VSaaS provider will help you maintain a state of compliance. With the right vendor in your corner, managing surveillance data becomes effortless.

Cloud systems also come with user-friendly interfaces, allowing you to easily categorize, retrieve, analyze, and dispose of data, while your vendor is always watching your back and doing their part to keep your data safe.

Looking Ahead: Future Trends in Cloud-Based Video Surveillance

Countless businesses have already adopted cloud-based video surveillance, but it is only the beginning. In the coming years, cloud-based video technologies are bound to continue to evolve, setting the stage for automated monitoring and advanced threat detection.

Technologies like AI are paving the way for smart surveillance systems — cameras that don’t just record but analyze and predict. Advanced analytics technologies could pick up on everything from facial expressions that indicate unusual tension (such as when someone is about to commit a crime) to suspicious activities.

The biggest change in video surveillance, though, will involve the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. While cloud-based surveillance cameras are already a part of the IoT ecosystem, future tech will likely include complementary solutions such as sensors, scanning devices, and the like. The end result will be a holistic security solution that proactively protects your business from a wide range of threats, including theft, robbery, and more.

Tap Into the Benefits of Cloud-Based Security Camera Systems

If your business is still relying on antiquated CCTV monitoring systems — or worse, doesn’t have any video monitoring equipment at all — it’s time to make a change. Cloud-based video surveillance technology provides a plethora of benefits that will help protect you, your brand image, and your customers.

When exploring cloud-based security systems, make sure to consider factors such as:

  • Initial and ongoing costs
  • The quality of equipment
  • The level of vendor support
  • The scope of services the vendor provides
  • Additional equipment needs

Ideally, you want to partner with a future-minded VSaaS provider that is committed to connecting you with the latest in cloud-based video surveillance technologies, and DTiQ is that vendor. We don’t just provide cloud-based video cameras; we offer holistic cloud security technologies designed to unlock measurable savings for your business.

To learn more about DTiQ and our ever-growing suite of security solutions, book a demo today and see why hundreds of businesses have partnered with us to elevate their security posture.

Operational triggers: not just back doors

DTIQ on December 11, 2023

Getting The Most

Integrated Alert & Time Stamped Triggers

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Integrated door triggers have long been a staple of advanced surveillance platforms.

These triggers provide a far superior solution to traditional motion triggers. Hardware-integrated triggers use very similar, if not identical, hardware as well established alarm companies use for their door triggers. This proven technology provides highly accurate results with minimal installation costs. Today, advanced surveillance systems are integrating with much more than simple door triggers. Operational or event driven triggers are providing users with impactful, low cost tools to manage a wide variety of operational procedures. The triggers create an easily reviewable log ensuring compliance that can be quickly inspected for accuracy and consistency. In the past, management was forced to rely on training, handwritten logs, and an employees’ work ethic to ensure proper procedures and tasks were carried out appropriately. The more advanced operational triggers provide a tool to ensure more consistent and auditable results creating a culture of accountability. These triggers can be utilized to manage a wide range of operational needs including, but in no way limited to: delivery check-ins, product waste, cleanliness inspections, time and temperature readings, and food preparation. Following is a discussion of a few of these items and how they can be addressed with door triggers.

Delivery Check-Ins

In the fast-paced world of the restaurant business, it can be challenging to ensure deliveries are properly checked in upon receipt; yet, there are few things more important to a restaurant than ensuring you have an accurate inventory on your food stock. If a manager, or whoever is accountable, becomes busy or distracted, it is easy for them to simply pencil whip the receipt and check-in of a delivery. The impact of running out of an item or items can be devastating. I know that I do not frequent establishments where poor controls lead to unavailable items listed on the menus and I doubt you would either. Using an operational trigger that becomes part of the procedure for checking in a delivery creates an easily auditable time for review of the check-in process. While there may not be a need to audit every delivery, the availability of the information makes it much easier to do so and has the added benefit of reinforcing employee accountability.

Product Waste

Managing waste accurately is an extremely important part of managing food costs in restaurants. Often, handwritten logs are used and management is forced to rely on an employee’s integrity to ensure the log is accurate. Food can be saved for management to track but this can often be unsanitary and simply nasty. With the use of an operational trigger to log each time items are being thrown out, management can review video quickly and easily to ensure it is logged properly. This is also an effective tool for controlling the amount of waste as employees will be more aware that it is being closely monitored.

Temperature Readings

Regular temperature readings are part of every food safety standard. Ensuring this is performed regularly and not simply rubber stamped can be extremely challenging. Whether it is testing food stock with a probe or recording temperatures in holding bins, operational triggers can ensure that these tasks are being performed on a consistent basis. Adding a simple button push to this task will provide an auditable log and easily reviewable task ensuring that management of this critical task is effective without being overly time consuming. Used in conjunction with a waste operational trigger, food placed in a holding bin can be logged and when waste does occur, the waste trigger will be there to track it. This can also be used to ensure that product, which passes the time at which it can or should be safely served is discarded in a timely manner thus, ensuring consistent quality and taste for your customers.

Cleanliness Inspections

The cleanliness of your restaurant is one of the most important first impressions your customers have of your establishment. While you may mandate that employees walk the dining room, lot, and or bathrooms regularly, how do you really ensure this is happening? Utilizing operational triggers to log regular inspections can help ensure that your customers’ first impressions are positive. While we have discussed a few of the many uses of operational triggers, the uses are truly unlimited. Hopefully this gets you thinking about how you can utilize operational triggers in your organization to ensure systematic and auditable compliance throughout your operation.

Crime doesn’t pay but surveillance sure does!

DTIQ on December 11, 2023

Restaurant Industry Use of Technology

Current Industry Statistics Show That Violent Crime Rates Have Dropped Since The Volatile 90’s.

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One need not go far to pick up an industry publication addressing restaurant use of technology to protect against crime and costly incidents.

  • Current industry statistics show that violent crime rates have dropped since the volatile 90’s.
  • The number of employee deaths from assaults and violent acts in restaurants has declined over the past few years.
  • Violent crime rates have dropped over 15 percent in the United States over the past decade.

Though noteworthy, there remain armed robberies, assaults, and homicides which continue to threaten the restaurant industry. In these days of lagging economic times, the security industry has prepared itself for potential spikes in violent crime. What is extremely interesting is that many in the security industry have yet to witness crime increases. Various studies have indicated that these falling rates of crime may be attributed to an increase in sophisticated technology that protects company assets, which includes people, property, and brand image. On the flip side, there have been numerous complaints to the FBI from various stores about an increase in White Collar Crime. These crime types encompass computer crimes, fraud (credit card, overpayment, miscellaneous), and spam.

The begginings of video surveillance

Looking at the first uses of video surveillance, we discover that it really became useful in a business regimen in the 1960’s. Its primary uses were for internal investigations and anti-shoplifting practices. The objective of such systems was to reduce the amount of privacy complaints in retail locations and to imply that the customer base was being monitored to reduce any criminal activity. System costs were extremely high. In most cases there were very few cameras present at locations. It evolved through the 1970’s with the use of a hardwired environment of analog security cameras to an image multiplexer. The imaging was black and white, and recording capabilities were to a VHS tape. It would usually take hours to synchronize activity to sales data. The video surveillance system continued to evolve and saw the creation of the digital video recorder which provided a network interface that allowed continuous recording, viewing and monitoring of events. Today we see color cameras, multiple camera possibilities, cameras that operate in low light with high resolution color, monitoring with recording capabilities over 30 days, and cameras that include audio surveillance.

Video surveillance and the restaurant industry

The QSR, Fast Casual, and Casual dining segments have remained vigilant in their security practices. Since the 1990’s they have implemented various physical security measures and practices. Let’s take note of some of these, including high-tech electronic safes with time delays and auditing procedures, positioned under the front counters for higher visibility in the event of a robbery/burglary, or smart safes that allow direct input of cash into the unit, and only the armored car company has access to the deposited cash. There are alarm monitoring systems to secure both the perimeter location and the individuals inside the location. There is the installation of electronic locking devices that aid in securing all doors, windows and roof hatches. These systems aid in the protection of the said brand, and at a financial cost. They are based solely on safety of the customer and guest. Video surveillance, on the other hand, not only provides a loss prevention and security element in these locations but other relevant opportunities as well. The surveillance measure requires an initial investment from the owner that will provide a positive return on investment. With that in mind, it not only proves to be an effective loss prevention tool, but also offers other cost benefits. We see that it provides recording and monitoring of criminal acts, fraudulent claim activity such as slip-and-falls, and observed violent behavior. It also saves one time and money. There may be no need to maintain a large loss prevention staff if the location is being monitored 24/7 and also audited. The system can provide a marketing solution, allowing the operator to study item sales trends via the video surveillance system. Demographics studies can be observed by customer presence and activity. Brand training can be enhanced by observing employee activity, including audio activity throughout the sale process. The use of video surveillance systems allows the sharing of information amongst different departments within the organization, and all partake in the value generated by such activity. In conclusion, now is not the time to be complacent. Whether or not violent crime begins to rise again, there will still be robberies, burglaries, assaults, carjacking, etc. that occur on a daily basis. Businesses need to be well prepared for such activities. Furthermore, operational uses of video surveillance are apparent and can significantly benefit the business. Marketing and training are always vital programs within any corporate structure. The continued focus on business efforts promoted by one’s brand only enhances its comprehensive security plan. Crime may not pay, but surveillance technology sure does!

How to combat rising labor costs

DTIQ on December 7, 2023

While speaking with a number of different restaurant operators across the country over the last few months, we’ve noticed a collective fear: rising labor costs. Franchisees turn different shades of red as soon as topics like minimum wages, increasing insurance premiums, and talent pools are broached, and most have no idea how to tackle these issues. Do restaurants pass new cost increases onto the customers? Should they cut employee hours or the number of team members they employ? If you’re facing any of these questions, check out our 7 tips below for balancing growing costs!

1. Pay attention to your sales forecast.

Sales fluctuate from month to month and season to season. Do you keep your scheduling consistent between a barely-there January and a booming June? If so, your business could be stripped of profits extremely quickly. Think ahead and use sales reports from previous months and years to guesstimate gross sales at least 10 days before the start of the upcoming month. You can then adjust employee schedules to accommodate the projected number of guests and business needs. Confirm that a set labor cost percentage is in place so you know exactly how much you can afford to spend on hourly employees after you’ve paid salaried staff.

2. Hire smarter.

Building a high-quality workforce can address escalating costs without risking customers (and can even increase guest visits!). Utilize background checks and consider evaluating candidates via various behavioral assessments during the interview process. While this idea may seem extreme, these evaluations easily reveal prospects who match the core values and goals of your operation. Many operators hire the first person who walks in the door just to fill an open spot on the line, or take on employees based solely on years of experience. If you instead hire on skill, drive, and enthusiasm, these employees will stay engaged with your operation and work harder, better, and faster, driving results directly to your bottom line.

3. Track labor on a daily basis.

Get a clear picture of your labor costs by running daily POS reports to see how many employees were working (keeping in mind how much you’re paying each of them per hour) and what your total sales were. You can also take advantage of remote monitoring tools to keep an eye on front-of-house and drive-thru traffic patterns as well as see how efficiently employees are handling back-of-house responsibilities. By running reports and checking live and recorded video each day, you can efficiently adjust staffing needs, spot performance issues with specific employees, and monitor the effectiveness of any sales promotions.

4. Cross-train employees.

Some operators think it’s more efficient to train certain employees on front-of-house procedures and others on back-of-house duties, rather than allowing staff to learn and work all areas of the business. By cross-training your employees and ensuring that each team member is capable of handling any operational procedure, you won’t run into scheduling headaches when one person is out sick or when someone needs to be cut from a shift on a slow day. Allot time for additional training if necessary to verify that each employee is comfortable at the register, drive-thru window, and various food stations.

5. Leverage loyalty.

Consider implementing a loyalty program to reward your frequent guests. Provide incentives for bounce-back visits via social media, email, or text message, especially during slow periods of the day or week. While you may be hesitant about the cost of a loyalty program, the additional revenue generated by the resultant pickup in sales will overshadow the comparatively slight expense. An effective loyalty program can encourage guests to share their appreciation for your store with friends and family, which in turn can create a cycle of business that’s highly impactful on profits.

6. Size up your menu.

By examining your food options and making small tweaks, a revamped menu can work wonders towards making up for mounting labor costs. This could mean renegotiating with or sourcing new suppliers, reducing portion sizes, or removing higher-priced ingredients. Ensure that there are no menu items slowing down the line – while they may be profitable, foods that are slow to prepare or cook reduce guest satisfaction and overall BOH efficiency by taking up space in the kitchen for an extended period of time. You might also try out a limited-time promotional item, which may help draw renewed interest and traffic to your restaurant.

7. Use small and frequent price changes.

If you know you need to increase pricing, don’t do it all at once. Customers will be confused and unhappy, which can reduce or eliminate their visits altogether. Try increasing prices at just 1-2% to start, then gradually go up again every few months if needed. Monitor your major competitors and ensure your pricing doesn’t skyrocket above market trends. Also keep track of tacit industry price caps for any standard menu items like burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Know that unless your offering is out-of-this-world and totally unique, customers probably won’t pay above the barrier.

With such slim margins industry-wide, business owners are already hawkish in controlling every penny. Costs are changing fast, and owners are forced to adjust budgets on the fly and think carefully about employee pay. Make sure your enterprise is prepared to cover increasing wages without sacrificing revenue or customers!

Leveraging in-store video to establish and sustain a culture of accountability in retail

DTIQ on December 7, 2023

A culture of employee accountability requires clarity, consistency and coaching.  It’s only three little c’s.  Easily said, difficult to provide…unless you enlist your in-store video infrastructure to be a partner in the effort.

Experts agree that fostering accountability is critically important towards motivating employees to deliver for you.  In fact, a recent Gallup Workplace article explains that accountability (when leveraged properly) can dramatically improve morale, results and employee turn-over!

The recipe for success is:

  1. Clear expectations
  2. Consistent coaching
  3. Follow-up to recognize progress

But, in the retail business, there’s always too much to do and so little time. So, we need to think differently.

Think about how you’re already using video to address other big-picture concerns like shrink, incidents and internal theft. The key is further leveraging those same assets to do more and be smarter—so it also enables your managers with the necessary information to establish and sustain a culture of accountability.

Intelligent software can cross-analyze sales, data trends, video and even audio across multiple locations at once to give retail managers all the information and opportunity they need to provide coaching in real-time (both in-person and virtually).

Gallup Workplace:

Gallup recommends encouraging managers to have frequent coaching conversations with their direct reports; performance is best directed in the moment.

Only 47% of workers received feedback from their manager “a few times or less” in the past year.  A company’s accountability problem may actually be a coaching problem in disguise.

“Fact- and intelligent video-supported feedback is direct, meaningful and delivered in-context—exactly as it would be if we could all be everywhere at once.”

“Fact- and intelligent video-supported feedback is direct, meaningful and delivered in-context—exactly as it would be if we could all be everywhere at once,” said Ezri Silver, Co-President of US Polo.  “Our DMs are thrilled with how they can provide guidance on specific issues even when they aren’t present in-store.”

Rather than using a proverbial “stick,” you can foster employees’ innate desire to be part of a positive culture of accountability.  Constant communication and coaching are possible (even for busy managers) with smarter systems that use what you already have to deliver actionable insights.  Enlisting your in-store video infrastructure as an accountability partner will pave the way to happier, more productive retail environments.